Contra dancing keeps tradition on its toes
Dancer says contra dance is like an amusement park ride we make for ourselves.
By Rachel Haynie

Georgia-based contra dance caller Adina Gordon puts dancers through paces to the music of Bonne Terre at last month’s Contra Dance at Arsenal Hill Park Building across from Finlay Park. Photo by Rachel Haynie

If speed dating has an ancestor, it could be contra dancing.

One avid contra dancer described it as a “form of dance that thrusts a different person of the opposite sex into your arms every 30 seconds or so.”

The caller then moves things along by having dancers advance on to the next set.

Changing partners to the beat of a fiddler’s tapping foot and a tune with a Celtic lilt, dancers move from one partner to the next in a sequence of moves or figures. Rhythms of traditional reels or jigs reinforce the caller’s bidding, telling feet what to do.

Contra dancing evolves from sets; a set consists of two lines, and usually partners are in the line across from each other. Although it’s done in a line, contra dancing bears no other resemblance to line dancing. Admittedly, line dancing is sometimes done in country or western dance saloons, and there is a corollary, musically speaking, because traditional music continues to inform country music, but similarities stop there.

As the derivative of English country dancing continues to gain enthusiasts, some allowance has to be made for bringing these new dancers on line. The Columbia Old Time Music and Dance (COTMD) society invites newcomers to arrive at 7 pm, 30 minutes ahead of the official starting time for its monthly dance, for some preliminary instruction. Experienced dancers always show up early to assist in the orientation of new dancers.

The caller walks dancers through each movement before the actual start of each dance. Soft–soled, non–marking shoes are requested, and female dancers often like the sensuous feeling they get from swirling to the music in a full skirt, although anything comfortable is suitable attire for contra dancing.

In this country, the roots of contra dancing can be traced to New England, with some aspects of American square dancing blending in. The origins were European. English country dancing had gained a certain legitimacy in the 17th century, then the French, who thought they had invented it, began calling it contredans, which eventually evolved into contra dance in the still–young America.

The high–spirited dance can be both elegant and lively, but most importantly, fun. Dancer demographics run the gamut from quite mature to fairly young children.

Dances are performed with a simple ‘walk step’ to eight–beat timing, in time with the rhythm of the live music. Spinning and swinging notwithstanding, the secret of contra dancing is rapport, achieved by eye contact with your partner. Focusing prevents dizziness, experienced dancers say.

Guests or those exploring the phenomenon are always welcome, but for the Columbia society, the core is its members. Dianne Britton, COTMD president, stays in touch with members by email, notifying the database of dances in and outside Columbia on the other three Saturday nights each month. “Some members enjoy going to other towns to dance; others are content with the one night a month we dance in Columbia.”

Connie Robinette, vice president of COTMD, has been with the group since the late ’80s. She is responsible for booking callers and bands. “I try to strike a balance between local and out–of–town contra dance bands and callers. We are constantly trying to foster the skills of the dancers, musicians, and callers, and are always interested in gathering new members into our community. I have enjoyed watching the society grow. It is a wonderful group.”

www.contracola.org